Ronde gouden reversspeld c. 1800 - 1810

This is a lapel pin by Carl Friedrich Bärthel, a delicate object constructed from gold, carnelian, and seed pearls. The eye is immediately drawn to the concentric arrangement of forms. At its heart is a polished carnelian, its warm, reddish-brown hue encircled by a ring of seed pearls. The structure of the pin plays with a semiotic system of signs: the circle, a shape often associated with unity and completeness, is repeated and layered. This design perhaps reflects the values of its time, where jewelry served not only as adornment but also as a signifier of status and taste. The long, slender pin itself, with its subtle spiral grooves, creates a visual contrast to the circular head, emphasizing the verticality and function of the object. In its form, the pin speaks to the relationship between aesthetics and utility. It reminds us that even the smallest objects carry cultural codes.